Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Deer Fishing?

I've heard of salmon jumping into boats but . . Deer, Fourwerepulled from the icy waters of Stephens Passage, Alaska, by a group of locals onTom Satre's 62-foot charter vessel. Four juvenile Sitka black-tailed deer swam

directly toward the boat.

Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking directly at the humans on board. Clearly, the bucks were distressed. With help, the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals came willingly onto the boat. Once onboard, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering.

Here the rescued bucks rest on the back of Tom Satre's boat, the Alaska Quest.All four deer were transported toTakuHarbour. Once the group reached the dock, the first buck that had been pulled from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back, then lept into the Harbour, swam to shore, and disappeared into the forest. After a bit of prodding and assistance from the humans, two others followed suit, but onedeer needed more help..

Here he is being transported by Tom Satre:

Tom, Anna and Tim Satre help the last of

the "button" bucks to its feet.

They did not know how long the deer had been in the icy waters or iftherehad been others who did not survive.

The good Samaritans (humans) describe their experience as "one of those defining moments in life."